I'm heading to Academy in about 30 minutes to buy my first Kayak. I know in time I can modify it, add things to it and in general make it more fisherman friendly. But to start, other than the Kayak and paddle, is there anything I need to have that I'm not thinking about? Looking at a sit on top Kayak that was I believe $399. I think it was 11 1/2 feet. Saw it in there a couple days ago.

a kayak fishing lifejacket and whistle

Paddle leash and a few dry bags! A flag if you can find one so folks can see you on open water! Good luck

Scupper plugs

in order of generally accepted importance -
-Common Sense
-Life vest & whistle (required by law for boating anytime)
-Scupper Plugs & paddle leash, unless you like swamp butt and/or swimming back to shore with your kayak in tow or trying to use your hands to paddle if you drop it by accident
-360 light - required by law for night paddling (which is wonderful), recommended for dawn/dusk
-finally - any and all fishing addons and pimpage

Thanks for the advice guys.

I bought one and took it out for a bit yesterday, and caught a good bass, so all is well to start.

Are scupper plugs, plugs that will go in the little holes in the bottom? I definitely had swamp butt going on.

Don't buy anything from Pelican.
Red flag if you are hauling it in a truck and hangin it out the back.

Tell me more....I just bought a pelican

Don't worry about pelican, everyone has to start somewhere. How many people's first car was a Lamborghini.

Congrats.
ON the water in any kayak is better than on the bank have fun.

Yes, those little holes that let the water drain out are scuppers. You can plug them normally and then if you get a bunch of water you can pull the plug and let it drain out. I suggest you get a BIG Sponge, that helps to soak up that little bit of water and prevent swamp butt

On your PFD, keep a whistle, small light and a knife. The knife is just in case you flip over and get tangled up in line or rope etc.

Good advice. Much appreciated.

Welcome to the family.

-The sponge has helped me a lot. I have an FS12T that have many little spots that collect water and hold it.
-Foam ping pong balls work well as scupper plugs too. I use it for the far forward 2 and 1 each on the middle and back ones just so I can still pull on if I need to.
-I still need to get a flag/light, I hate not having any type of bright colors for safety, especially since my kayak, paddle, and PFD are all desert sand color! haha

Mine was. Matchbox Lamborghini

A whistle as mentioned is required by law.
I keep mine on a lanyard attached to my life jacket and placed in one of the pockets so it's always there.
Other items that should always be carried and within easy reach is a sharp knife. Again attached to your life jacket in case you turtle and get your feet or arms tangled up in fishing line or rope you can cut free.
Another item that not many folks carry but there can be a time you might need it is if you fish large lakes with boater traffic, and that would be one of those compact air horns that they sell at Academy.
You'll find that fishing large lakes with boaters they don't pay attention to kayakers and an air horn could save you from getting run over.
A sponge also comes in handy if you use scupper plugs because you will get a little water in the kayak just from your feet and paddle drip and a sponge works great to help keep you dry.
Then you have a anchor trolley and anchor float to rig up, if you like to fish anchored in one spot.
There are other items and as you see things can add up in a hurry.

What about a drift sock? Do you guys use them much. Went out last night and noticed the wind was really pushing me. Do they work well with Kayaks?